The second half is here, which means the dog days of summer are in full swing. Division races across Major League Baseball are heating up, including the NL Central. For weeks, this looked like a sure thing for the Cubs. While Chicago still finds itself in first, a recent surge by the Brewers has made things interesting. Now, these two rivals are separated by just one game in the standings.
Which of these squads will take the division crown? Below, I’ve listed all the odds and my pick to win the NL Central on DraftKings Sportsbook.
NL Central Odds
Despite holding a minuscule lead, the Cubs still have -220 odds at taking the Central. As good of a season as it’s been in the Windy City (57-39 record), this group could be even better. Chicago currently leads all of baseball with a +119 run differential. The league’s second-highest scoring offense has been led by MVP candidates Kyle Tucker (146 wRC+) and Pete Crow-Armstrong (133 wRC+). On the mound, the starting rotation has been bolstered by Shota Imanaga’s return. A much-improved group of relievers has notched baseball’s sixth-lowest bullpen ERA (3.54).
About that run differential, however: the second-best National League team in that category is Milwaukee (+81). That one number doesn’t do this group justice, however. The Brewers are the only team in baseball that ranks inside the top seven in runs (4.76) and runs allowed (3.92) per game. Since June 1st, they’ve delivered a league-best 25-12 record. Eight different hitters for the Crew have notched a wRC+ of 100 or greater. Ace Freddy Peralta has been joined by rookie Jacob Misiorowski to form one of the sport’s best pitching staffs. Still, Milwaukee are clear underdogs at +190 odds.
Elsewhere, the Cardinals (51-46) and Reds (50-47) round out the list. Both clubs appear unlikely to make a push, trailing Chicago by 6.5 and 7.5 games, respectively. With that being said, a postseason push can’t be ruled out. St. Louis is +225 to reach the playoffs, while Cincinnati is at +550.
NL Central prediction, pick
The amount of talent in Chicago’s lineup is nothing short of impressive. To make any improvements to their rotation, the Cubs can utilize a deep pool of prospects as trade chips. That makes for a formidable mix of present-day prowess and untapped potential. With that being said, it’s difficult to ignore how good the Brewers have looked in recent weeks. It all starts on the mound; Misiorowski, just five starts into his career, should only improve going forward. Peralta is about as steady an arm as they come. A lineup that prioritizes depth over star power is also relatively immune from any team-wide slumps. At two-to-one odds, Milwaukee offers up significant value for MLB futures bettors.
